ABSTRACT
In this chapter we discuss the role of school for children experiencing domestic violence (DV). School has repeatedly been recognised as important, it is one of the few places where a child's home situation can be identified and reported to authorities, it is also an important arena for violence prevention work. Despite recognition of the importance of school for children experiencing DV, little research has been conducted in this field. We begin by reviewing the existing research on the impact of DV on children's schooling and school experiences. With the help of the voices of children we have interviewed in our studies, we then explore their perspectives on school attendance and absence, their experiences of “coming and being” at school and their experiences of teacher recognition and school strategies. We conclude by discussing the child's right to education, to attend school and pursue schooling, to learn, to feel safe at school and to receive help.
